Teaching english as a foreign language to an a1 blind student: Strategies and challenges for mainstream teachers

Abstract

​​This study aimed at identifying how Total Physical Response and Natural Approach, as language teaching methods, facilitated the learning of English as a Foreign Language to an A1 blind since birth college student. To this purpose, a case study was carried out to investigate, in a qualitative way, the experiences of a novice teacher who attempted to facilitate the participant´s learning process. As a qualitative research, several instruments such as interviews, video and audio recordings, and a teacher's journal were applied to gather primary data. Data was analyzed and categorized obtaining three categories: Teaching strategies, Facilitating the Language Learning Process and Student Motivation. Among the major findings in the first and second category analyzed, the adaptability of methods such as the Total Physical Response and Natural Approach, usually used with sighted students, proved to be successful for the blind student. Regarding the third category, this research found that as the teacher refined her lessons, the student´s learning motivation and language comprehension levels improved. Also, the research confirmed that the use of tactile resources combined with Total Physical Response and Natural Approach methods were effective to help the student improve her understanding and learning of the language. ​